Kazim at the double

Colin Kazim-Richards struck an impressive brace as Rovers signed off their pre-season preparations with a 3-1 victory over Cork City.

The Turkish international grabbed a goal in each half before Morten Gamst Pedersen hit a trademark free-kick as Rovers came from behind to win.

Steve Kean named a strong side for the final friendly match with Dickson Etuhu and Colin Kazim-Richards both making their first starts in Rovers shirts.

But despite the strong line-up it was the home side who struck first after just six minutes, Paul Robinson was unable to hold Kalen Spillane's fiercely struck shot and Andy O'Connell followed up to score.

Rovers were behind for less than ten minutes, equalising with a goal of high quality. Scott Dann fed Kazim-Richards and he played the ball back to Mauro Formica who backheeled it wide for Bradley Orr to centre where Kazim-Richards adjusted his body brilliantly to volley emphatically into the back of the net.

Rovers ended the first half strongly, but it wasn't until the second half that they grabbed their second of the game.

On 51 minutes a ball was played down the flank to Fabio Nunes and the young Portuguese winger centred for Colin Kazim-Richards who outpaced his marker to fire home from close-range.

The hour mark saw Rovers add a deserved third as Morten Gamst Pedersen's 25 yard free-kick bent over the wall and into the corner of the net.

Rovers continued to create chances, David Dunn saw one chalked off for offside, but whilst they didn't add further to the scoreline they'll have been delighted with their Irish workout.

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